Kilkenny GAA Thread

A few matches including Glenmore v Bridge postponed until Tue evening. Little over 3 day turnaround until second matches for these teams

As far as I counted it the Boro had 8 goal chances they missed or were saved. Paul Buggy shouldn't have to buy a drink this weekend in Tullaroan he was great for them after a hard start to the game. Mossy was excellent throughout and Pádraig stood up when really needed. I'm sure they'll be a small bit concerned how they were cut open so many times at the back but they showed Greta heart and fight throughout and brought great physicality that the Boro could handle but didn't replicate.

There are a good few still away or injured for the Boro and many of those playing last night were either just back from abroad or injury and it showed in what I would usually expect from them. They are a young team and everyday out will bring them on but adding in Buckley and Evan Cody to the back 6 will hopefully tighten that up. The Boro for years have gone unbeaten in the League and winning League titles, I'd prefer to see the build towards Championship rather than hitting the road running. Good displays from Rowe, K Moore, M Kelliher and Shine. The next day will be tough again with more lads missing but as long as they keep improving I'd be happy. At least they were making goal chances. The day they get them all will be a hard day for another team. The will have to up their intensity and aggression against the top teams and I felt they played too much short passing for the slippery and slick conditions last night, Tullaroan we're ruthless and punished them everytime the Boro weren't clinical.

If Tullaroan can keep up the type of performance going forward they will do well in the League this year and should push far into the championship. They will have to tighten up at the back a bit or Paul Buggy will have to be the hero everyday.

OLG comfortably ahead at half time 9 up against Clara who had the wind in the first half. Missing Paddy Deegan too, F Mackessy hasn't lit it up so far but is probably creating space for the other forwards with the need to watch him. Luke Hogan scored and created their goals.

Do they ever get old?

Im not questioning the standard of players, playing Fitzgibbon, I'm questioning its value as a competition in 2024?

What does it add?

The UL 2018 team was a total pisstake, pretty much an entire team made up of established top class inter county players and All ireland medalists, some of them (Tony Kelly, John Mc Grath, Jason Forde) already in their mid 20s, the rest mostly 22/23.

UL didnt make these players, they were already made.

Very poor for UCC are you for real. When UCC took him off they went completely out of the game. Obviously watching a different game. Your problem with Joe Fitz on this forum is a joke.

Very True for him and all the young players. Hopefully they all go well.g

Likewise don't think I have ever watched as much hurling in two days, roll on tomorrow.

Dicksboro short passing was to feet at times, expected more from them but reckon they will come good. Great heart from Tullaroan and some nice scores thrown in.

O loughlins didn't really have to hit top gear to beat Clara. Owen Wall looked very dangerous when he got on ball.

Thomastown moved the ball well and looked like they could have won by more, tucker hanrahan and stephen donnelly looked lively up front, looked like bad injury to Jay Burke who will be a huge loss.

Village might be few forwards short but Cian Kenny is a proper player and was very good on the ball but needed more help. Won't get easier for them with the boro next week, ttown and the bridge will be a cracker.

Great to have the club stuff back.

I think Mullen Cody or Donnelly can all be top class free takers for Kilkenny given time and practise I suppose they have never had to take them on a regular basis due to they club having good free takers

Similar to Henry taking over from dj and Tj taking over from Henry the baton will be passed on from Tj

OLG look the strongest to me. Not sure how many of the Ballyhale lads are going to be back and Kenny and Gaffney will be a loss to the Boro. Thomastown brought big support to their match, their home match next week against the Bridge should be good. Glenmore were missing Alan Murphy, Ian Byrne and Ger Aylward didn't start today but I thought they were poor. Bridge looked good but hit a lot of wides.

Went to three matches over the weekend:OLG and Clara-Olg looked very impressive moved the ball well and got some nice scores, Wall and Hogan done a lot of damage in the full forward line. Although they never looked like winning the game Clara had a good spirit about them and never gave up.

Thomastown and Village:I thought Thomastown fully deserved their win and I think they would've won even without the sending offs, John Donnelly was class,Village look a bit limited, be interesting to see how Thomastown get on for the rest of the year.

Bennetsbridge and Glenmore :Disappointing game purley because Glenmore were very poor they were missing four or five of their better players to be fair.Bridge look very good and could be a dark horse for the championship this year,they were very unlucky not to get to the final last year.

On a side note I thought the refereeing in the three games was very good.And the spreading out of the times of matches gives people a good opportunity to take in a few more matches.

I thought Jordan Molloy and Luke Hogan did well for OLG. Luke not afraid to take his man on. Paul Cody for Clara. John Donnely Thomastown. No one stood out for me in Vegas Comer match, Comer in particular were poor.

I agree totally that Mark Dowling was hampered by circumstances. So why not give him another year?